Arapahoe High community pays tribute to injured student Claire Davis

CENTENNIAL — Standing in the shadow of Arapahoe High School, their nerves still raw and shaky from the horror that engulfed their school a day earlier, hundreds of members of the school's community marched silently Saturday from the entrance to Arapaho Park out onto an open field.

Candles held aloft, members of the group gathered in a vigil for one of their own, senior Claire Davis, who was critically wounded in the shooting at the school.

"We just thought it would be a good idea to get everyone together to pay respect to Claire, as well as gather with other people going through the same thing," said Maggie Hurlbut, an Arapahoe senior.

Hundreds of Arapahoe High School students gathered for a candlelight vigil Saturday night to share their prayers for Claire Davis, who was shot inside the school Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. The vigil was held at Arapaho Park in Centennial, not far from the school. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

Hurlbut said she and a group of friends came up with the idea on Friday night, not long after Karl Pierson, another senior, carried a shotgun into the school and shot the 17-year-old Davis before apparently killing himself.

By 11 a.m. Saturday, an invitation to the vigil had been placed on Facebook and Twitter.

As the sun set, the streets near the park looked like a scene from the conclusion of the movie "Field of Dreams," as cars lined up and down the block, their passengers making their way in.

Once there, the assemblage said prayers and compared stories from Friday's attack.

Soon they were singing the school's fight song and comforting one another with hugs — lots and lots of hugs.

In addition, some students began collecting donations for the Davis family.

"I don't know her, but I just feel this needs to be done," said Chris Davis, an Arapahoe senior. "They should know that they're not alone and that the Warrior community is there for Claire and her family."

In the neighborhood where Claire Davis lives, the residents found themselves attempting to cope with the news that the event had struck close to home.

Walter Bushnell said he was trying to process the news of the shooting at Arapahoe High when television trucks and reporters began turning up in his neighborhood Saturday morning. Not much later, the mother of Desiree Davis told him the terrible news — her granddaughter Claire was the victim of Friday's shooting at the school.

"We've watched her grow up since she was 2," said Matt DeNero, who lives across the street. "They're pretty private people, and so are we. But she was always outgoing; she's a pretty good athlete and a great student."

And, according to another neighbor, the best babysitter in the community.

"She took care of our 5-year-old," said the man, who did not want to be identified. "She was well-loved. I believe she wanted to go into nursing — I know she had already been accepted to a number of colleges."

Looking at the Davises' home, Bushnell said the family "has had a rough time of it." According to Bushnell, the Davises' son Alex, a student at Colorado State University, was struck by a car while bicycling. The resulting injuries have required almost 10 surgeries, he said.

The family has asked that the community pray for Claire, who is an avid horse lover. Her Facebook page is filled with photographs of her and horses. She also recently placed second in an equestrian event and is a member of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association.

Everyone at school who knows Claire knows about her love of horses, said Avery Griggs, a 16-year-old sophomore.

"Claire is one of the nicest people I've met at Arapahoe," Griggs said. "I am a sophomore and she is a senior. I remember one day in class that you had to pick groups, and she turned around and asked if I wanted to be in her group. And I felt so special, because that is a big deal for a sophomore. She is amazing and so sweet."

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